Has PlayStation Introduced a DRM That Forces Online Connection?
A 30-day timer requires an online check, or the game deactivates
About a month ago, the first reports emerged of a significant change on the PlayStation Store: digital games purchased now require an online check every 30 days. If the console is not connected to the internet for a longer period, the license deactivates and the title is no longer accessible, at least until reconnected. This new feature affects PlayStation 4 and 5 video games bought on the PS Store from March 2026 onwards (those purchased previously are excluded).
Is the DRM intentional by Sony?
To date, Sony has not released an official comment on the matter, so there is still some confusion. Initially, it was thought to be a bug, unintentionally introduced with an update, but in recent hours, the hypothesis of the intentional introduction of DRM has gained traction, because a user questioned PlayStation support on the point and was told that it is an intentional measure.
Unfortunately, this does not resolve the issue, as PlayStation support uses bots to answer questions, so the possibility of an error exists. The real problem lies in Sony's prolonged silence on the matter: something like this cannot be "swept under the rug," especially if it is DRM and not a bug. We hope the Japanese company clarifies as soon as possible.